Harry Redknapp: We must be streetwise to thwart Manchester City

Taking a stand: Harry Redknapp wants Tottenham to become more ruthless

Every successful team need to have a ruthless streak and, for all their style this season, Tottenham have yet to show they have enough steel to compete with the best.

At last week's annual meeting, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy expressed his desire to see the club going toe to toe with Chelsea and Manchester United sooner rather than later.

From an attacking point of view, Harry Redknapp's men possess the talent and invention to test any defence, a fact demonstrated by their haul of 35 goals from 16 League games this season.

If they were on the market, Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric would attract interest from most of the best teams in Europe.

Meanwhile, Jermaine Jenas, Tom Huddlestone and Peter Crouch were included with Defoe in the England squad for last month's friendly against Brazil, and Lennon has a strong chance of starting the opening World Cup game against the United States on 12 June if he can maintain his excellent early-season form.

Yet for all their ability, questions remain about the team's mental fortitude. Tonight's home game against Manchester City, which pits two sides who aspire to be in the Champions League next season, will be a serious examination of Spurs' character.

It is one thing to score nine against a demoralised Wigan side but quite another to grind out victories when playing poorly, or to shut up shop when the lead is taken. Spurs do not appear to have mastered either of these qualities, meaning a solid defensive performance and a 1-0 victory would be the most encouraging result for Redknapp's men.

The manager argues the absence of such durability is due in part to a lack of know-how within his team.

"Experience is a major factor," Redknapp said. "Sides like Chelsea have players who have been there and done it all, whereas we're still quite inexperienced. Benoit Assou-Ekotto is inexperienced in terms of the number of top games that he has played, and Sebastien Bassong has come from nowhere, really.

"Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate have the experience but they are both out injured. Tom Huddlestone is still only 22, Wilson Palacios has come from Honduras and only been in the Premier League a couple of years, and Aaron Lennon is still a kid at 22.

"Compare that to some of the players Chelsea have: Michael Ballack, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole. These people have played in Champions League finals and in the top competitions every season, so they are miles in front.

"You look at Manchester United, and the will to win and team spirit they showed to beat Wolfsburg in the Champions League. They had so many players out injured, but they were still able to go away from home and beat one of the best teams in Germany."

Most Spurs supporters would accept they are not ready to challenge Chelsea but few would be as philosophical at watching their team fall behind Manchester City, notwithstanding the fabulous wealth at Eastlands.

Yet for Spurs, Aston Villa and Everton, City's rise is very alarming. Where there were once four elite clubs - United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal - in the League, there will very soon be five, meaning that the task of getting into the Champions League will become more difficult each year.

Levy has told Redknapp he must sell players before he can strengthen his squad during next month's transfer window, a balancing act which City boss Mark Hughes need not worry about.

If City show similar ambition next month, Spurs could see their chances of a top-four finish diminish rapidly.

"With City, you just never know," said Redknapp. "They might have one or two players on their radar and they just live in a different world from everyone else in terms of their spending power.

"They can get as strong as they want to with the finances they have. The winners of the League will come from Chelsea and United but City will be right there to finish in the top four. It takes a while to build a title-winning side but it's been proved over the years it can be done if clubs sign the right players. City are not far away and next season they will be contenders.

"The squad they have is frightening. Roque Santa Cruz is on the bench, Robinho doesn't play every game, then you have Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy. They are full of quality."

For all City's financial muscle, though, Redknapp's fifth-placed side remain one point above them in the League. Tonight, Tottenham must show they have the spirit and will power to stay ahead of the world's richest club.